The subject, I had assumed, would be related to the relationship of domestic
violence to these homicides. Midwest Mom, you said it, no one wants to go there
with a ten-foot pole. Yet everyone is potentially a victim--or a perpetrator.
"There, but for the Grace of God, go I", truly. And if we look around,
we all no doubt have friends or family who have been domestic violence victims
and although they may have survived it, bear the scars and tell the tale of how
they nearly didn't. One thing to remember, as we discuss these things,
"to a hammer, everything looks like a nail". Everyone sees things
through the eyes of their experience, beliefs, and education, and sees what
those things show them. As we discuss, we need to make room for each to
contribute his best in order to do find ways to combat this kind of
violence...but first, it has to be acknowledged.

No, the lack of comments says (a) it's New
Year's Day and people are doing other things, and (b) it's not a
controversial topic. Nobody's going to come out in favor of domestic
violence. There's no comments because there's nothing to say.

One wonders if the proportion of gun murders from domestic violence is higher in
Utah than elsewhere, and if the fact so many of us own guns contributes to that.
I would guess Utah does not have a high murder rate per capita, which reflects
it does not have as much of a criminal element walking its streets. But,
availability of a weapon can also be a factor as to whether a violent crime is
committed. Domestic violence crimes are usually impulsive and perhaps some of
the deaths mentioned in the story would never have happened if no gun was owned.
Perhaps many of the perpetrators would have just grabbed a knife, but I do
wonder if a few less of these murders would have occurred if not for this
state's love of guns.

Gun homicides seem far, far more common that reports of citizens SAVING their
lives because of gun ownership. I cannot remember such a report. Cops have
guns and are shot when surprised, as this report attests. My own personal
conclusion? Guns rarely make you safer, but are more likely to be involved in
domestic deaths.

"I personally believe we
need to start looking at the causes of violence rather than the effect," he
[Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder] said.

We really need to look to
ourselves to increase peace on earth--can't we control our own negative
emotions, anger, etc. and be more concerned about helping others through their
own struggles, without trying to push them to the limit either?

In our area, "live-in boyfriends" have also been responsible for several
acts of domestic violence and murders of either, or both, the woman as well as
her children. I believe if a man does not care enough for a woman to marry her
first before having a sexual relationship with her, then it is a really good
sign he may not be worthy of her. Also, the woman needs to respect herself more
and not allow a man to ever start physically, emotionally, or sexually abusing
or neglecting either her or her children. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, when
lived appropriately, helps to prevent many problems before they have a chance to
begin, it helps to make many others disappear, and helps to make all the others
manageable. God will hold every man accountable who abuses anyone else,
especially abuse of a child. God bless these families to heal. God bless the
rest of our brothers and sisters to practice prevention and when necessary very
early intervention to help prevent other crises like these mentioned.